Hiking at Big Creek in Great Smoky Mountain National Park

I did a little hiking and backpacking at Big Creek in Great Smoky Mountain National Park in the spring; I was able to secure a campsite at the small compground. This is a beautiful, lush area; it is also well populated with bears.  You get there by taking the Waterville exit off I-40; cross the Pigeon River; stay left and follow the road past a power plant and Mountain Mama's to an intersection; keep straight for less than a mile to get to the parking lot/campground. The trail follows an old logging grade; it is wide and has a moderate, constant grade for the majority of the hike. Big Creek has some of the most beautiful water in the Park, the trout fishing is highly touted, and in heavy flow, the creek has class IV+ whitewater. All in all, a great place to spend some time.